Charles M. McClary, son of Robert W. and Polly Karns McClary, born December 15, 1821 in Claiborne County, TN. Charles married, October 5, 1843, Jane Isabella Biggs, born July 16, 1823, daughter of William McClure and Margaret Temple Biggs, also early settlers of Polk county, TN. The McClarys entered Polk County early, records from their fathers prove this. Charles and Jane were the parents of nine children all born in Polk county:
Margaret b. August 10, 1844, m. Joseph T. Huffman, January 24, 1872, she died January 10, 1935; Julia, b. May 15, 1848, m. Frank Armstrong, she died December 10, 1929; Sarah Jane, b. May 15, 1848, m. William H.L. Wells, November 9, 1878, she died July 4, 1931; Josephine b. 1852, never married, she died June 27, 1894; Adeline b. May 5, 1854, married James M. Wells, April 2, 1874, she died January 1, 1939; Robert Biggs b. June 13, 1856, m. Bettie Ann Martin October 27,1879, he died March 3, 1924; James Prior b. 1858, married Sarah Isabella Hutchison; Charlie b. 1863, never married, he died 1937; Carolyn "Callie" b. 1866, married a Kirby, and moved to Oklahoma.
Charles M. was a farmer and, as all the McClarys, was active in the politics that formed our country, both in Tennessee and Texas. He served in the Company raised by his father for the Confederate Army. Records show that Charles M. McClary went on bond for Prior Lee McClary, when he ran for sheriff of Polk County, TN.
A demit from the Masonic Lodge in Benton was obtained by Charles upon his decision to move his family to Texas. Loyal to the cause and current with his dues, the document lends a glimpse that Charles was active and dedicated in his work. His life ended in Texas, before he could get settled and find a new lodge.
After the Civil War there were about twenty wagons which left Polk County, for Texas. Others who came from Tennessee with Charles were Frank Armstrong, a son-in-law, Charles's brothers, Julius C. and Prior Lee McClary, with their families. Only about seven wagons endured the trip, and one of these was Charles M. McClary and his family. All their possessions had been sold, and the family had about $2,000, which was a goodly sum in those days. Charles rented a farm in Collin County, Texas and began to settle his family.
Alas! Before the McClarys had been in Texas a year, Charles headed to McKinney, a nearby town for supplies. He was caught in a flash flood and as he was crossing a very deep creek, his foot slipped on the log, and he was swept into Rowlett Creek. He drowned there May 13, 1870. Charles is buried in Stiff-Chapel Cemetery, not far from the scene of his death. There is an historical marker on the road beside the cemetery. His grave marker has been kept in excellent condition.
Charles's widow, Jane Isabella, alone with nine children, braced herself and continued to raise her family. She stayed on the leased farm for a few years, and then was able to buy a small farm of about 120 acres at Hebron, a small community where others of the family lived, not many miles away. She did an excellent job raising her children and Jane Irene, never married again. She died March 28, 1894. She is buried in Frankford Cemetery, Collin county, TX. There is also an historical marker on the site of this cemetery.
There is a bill of sale for a slave girl, purchased by Charles M. McClary from Thomas R. McClary in 1854. The amount of $700 was paid for Martha, a ten year old mulatto girl. Martha stayed in Tennessee, and for years the family in Texas sent money to this Martha and her children and grandchildren.
The children of Charles M. and Jane Isabella Biggs McClary followed in the steps of their ancestors to become the founders of many cities and counties in Texas, to name a few, Plano, Collin County; Wise Community, VanZandt County, Prairieville Community, Kaufman County, Dallas, Dallas County. There are schools, streets, organizations bearing their names. They have held political and community positions, and take part in the leadership of their home towns. Throughout the state the descendants of Charles M. and Jane I. Biggs McClary make their homes today, and are too numerous to list.

Story by: Pamela Sapp Johnson Stryker, Great, great granddaughter of Charles M. and Jane Isabella Biggs McClary, taken from "The History of Polk County, 1839-1999", published by the Polk County Historical & Genealogical Society, 1999.